Donna West
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Welcome to my profile page.
Having undergone therapy myself I appreciate the importance of finding a counsellor whom is able to facilitate a safe, warm and confidential environment to support the exploration of your story.
I have worked with an array of clients whom have accessed counselling for varying reasons that they feel are inhibiting them from living an authentic life. My role within the therapeutic relationship is to work alongside an individual to facilitate self-exploration and consider alternative routes that may lay before them.
I offer individual, group, relationship and family counselling. Please follow the link to my website for further information about these services in more detail.
I have extensive knowledge of trauma, attachment and addiction in all of its forms and have worked with both those in the depths of their addiction as well as those whom are in recovery and have also supported friends and family members too. I have a working knowledge of both NA and AA 12 step traditions as well as CBT, DBT and SMART which are broadly used in the recovery field.
Factors such as underlying mental health conditions, adverse child experiences, pain management for physical conditions and coping with emotional difficulties are contributing factors for substance misuse to commence, whether that be prescription or illicit. Often gaining an insight into the root course of addictive behaviour facilitates an individual to regain a sense of control.
Quite often a mental illness will become apparent whilst entering recovery with those whom have self regulated using substances from a young age. Experiencing anxiety, depression, OCD ,PTSD and Complex PTSD symptoms are common and areas of which I am experienced in.
I am an Integratively trained counsellor which means i draw upon relevant theory and techniques to tailor to each individual. I believe that everyone is unique and support individuals to understand how they fit in the world around them and explore ways of doing so in away that suits them.
I am accredited by the BACP ( british association of counselling and psychotherapy) which I adhere to to ensure I'm working safely and ethically.
I offer sessions currently via zoom, telephone, instant messaging,email and letter exchange. I am also a qualified EMDR therapist.
Training, qualifications & experience
Qualifications and training
Level 7 PG DIP in Traumatology and PTSD
EMDR
Senior professional membership of ACTO
ACTO Approved Diploma in Online Counselling Supervision for Individuals and Groups
ACTO Approved Certificate in online and telephone counselling
CPCAB level 6 certificate in therapeutic supervision
Diploma in Counselling Children and Young People
CPCAB level 5 diploma in psychotherapeutic counselling
CPCAB level 4 in therapeutic counselling
BACP Accreditation
CPCAB standardisation training certificate
Education and training level 3 (city and guilds)
Level 3 certificate substance misuse for practitioners
Level 3 Health and Social Care Certificate
Safeguarding level 3 certificate
Working Therapeutically with Groups Certificate
Experience
Working within a mental health unit specialising in forensic and hard to place individuals with an array of mental health conditions and maladaptive coping strategies.
Currently Supervising staff within organisations such as MIND, Barnardo's, YMCA, PFOA and Racing Welfare, Colleges and Universities..
Providing CPD relating to experience of substance misuse, dual diagnosis (mental illness and substance misuse) and attachment and Trauma.
Counselling within an NHS substance misuse agency including both pre and post residential rehabilitation. Those subject to care orders and probation conditions. As well as those whom have experienced sexual abuse, PTSD, domestic violence, co- dependency and bereavement and loss.
Facilitating relapse prevention groups using CBT and 12 step approaches.
Facilitating support groups for families and friends of substance misusers.
Counselling at a Rape crises centre working with survivors of child sexual abuse, rape, incest and female genital mutilation.
Member organisations
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred).
Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision.
Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training.
All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.
Accredited register membership
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
Dual diagnosis ( substance misuse and mental illness)
Complex Trauma
Attachment disorders
Sexual abuse
Students currently studying a counselling qualification.
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£40.00 - £60.00
Free initial telephone or online session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Concessions apply please enquire
Free 20 minute telephone consultation
Discounts for block booking ( 6 for the price of 5 sessions)
Individuals: 60.00
Children and Adolescents 10-18: 40.00
Additional rate for agencies please enquire
Discounts for Student counsellors 40.00 for counselling sessions which includes completing paperwork relevant for their course. I am a CPCAB tutor, teaching up to level 6 and have also undertaken their courses my self therefore I have a good understanding of some of the challenges Counselling students may have.
When I work
Available Monday - Friday 8.30am - 9pm Saturday 10 am - 12pm
Further information
Guided meditation and mindfulness can also be facilitated.
Handouts to support understanding of self and suppport change are issued as appropriate.
